Poll: The Future of Alabama Basketball

[TitleWave]

If Grant "coaches" per usual Tuesday night, you might call it Hobbs Part II, the epilogue. Though I don't think it'll have to be anywhere near 94-40 as with Hobbs to be the final nail of ineptitude in Grant's Tomb in T-town.

 

[Bama Reb]

While we're talking about ''NBA talent'', let's not forget that when those those future stars are getting ready to graduate from high school they're all looking for a college with a coach who can help them develop their game so that they can make the jump to the NBA. It's more than obvious that they won't even consider a school whose coach can't get them past ''mediocre''. At the present, that means UA won't be close to their list of schools they'd like to attend.

 

[Just Win]

They really are afraid to shoot...

And that begs the disturbing question: Why be afraid to shoot the ball?

We pass up wide open shots all game long. I know this sounds crazy, but it's almost as if the head coach is just daring AD BB to fire him. There's no way that CAG can't see that we have a tremendously out of balance pass-to-shoot ratio.

 

[Just Win]

While we're talking about ''NBA talent'', let's not forget that when those those future stars are getting ready to graduate from high school they're all looking for a college with a coach who can help them develop their game so that they can make the jump to the NBA. It's more than obvious that they won't even consider a school whose coach can't get them past ''mediocre''. At the present, that means UA won't be close to their list of schools they'd like to attend.

Or a coach who won't allow them to shoot the ball until they are forced to.

 

[Just Win]

You have Trevor Releford Light with Tarrant....them we have a Backup PG that looks like he weighs 150 lbs....Big men with weak hands....and frail bodies that can't control their fouls.....and our best player is a big 2-3 guard - Levi (by far) -- not sure where we are supposed to get better?

I think Tarrant can be a scorer, but his size will prevent him from being a bigtime scorer in the SEC without an inside game.....

Those that wanted CMG run out of town apparently forgot who David Hobbs was......now we have David Hobbs part 2......this time without NBA Talent

And i know that they can't really divulge detailed player injury status, but watching Tarrant get hurt several games ago, only to come back into that game and play, and now he just can't play due to a "lower leg injury"? This comment may not be fair, but my gut feeling when i watch him walking and watch his body language, and see him on the sideline laughing and such, leads me to believe it doesn't bother him that he can't be out on the court. He may not be hurt that bad, just has already checked out on the season like the rest of us. They can't force him to play if he makes claims that his "lower leg hurts".

 

[bama579]

Normally college hoops is something i keep up with . . Interest in Alabama leads to interest in other college basketball. The last two seasons have mostly smothered that for me.

The vibe is that Grant is the present and soon-to-be past. So, what/who of the future?

Didn't see much for info in a quick web search. Who are the up-and-coming coaches - assistant or head - who would be a likely wish list for us? Is a guy like Kennedy at Ole Miss a realistic get for us? He has turned a not-great program into respectable.

I'll admit to being uninformed on this subject and wanting some suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Drifter]

I'm thinking more and more that Bill Battle is simply going to finish his 4 year contract and leave without doing anything about basketball. That's two more years.

 

[Ldlane]

One big problem is that possible candidates have signed new extensions with their respective universities. We will have to throw serious cash around to get a serious coach.

Normally college hoops is something i keep up with . . Interest in Alabama leads to interest in other college basketball. The last two seasons have mostly smothered that for me.

The vibe is that Grant is the present and soon-to-be past. So, what/who of the future?

Didn't see much for info in a quick web search. Who are the up-and-coming coaches - assistant or head - who would be a likely wish list for us? Is a guy like Kennedy at Ole Miss a realistic get for us? He has turned a not-great program into respectable.

I'll admit to being uninformed on this subject and wanting some suggestions. Thanks.

 

[RTR91]

You have Trevor Releford Light with Tarrant....them we have a Backup PG that looks like he weighs 150 lbs....Big men with weak hands....and frail bodies that can't control their fouls.....and our best player is a big 2-3 guard - Levi (by far) -- not sure where we are supposed to get better?

I think Tarrant can be a scorer, but his size will prevent him from being a bigtime scorer in the SEC without an inside game.....

Those that wanted CMG run out of town apparently forgot who David Hobbs was......now we have David Hobbs part 2......this time without NBA Talent

I'd rather have Tarrant than Releford. Tarrant gives the ball to guys more than Releford did.

In case some haven't seen it, CAG was asked where the team goes from here. He gave an answer that is given in a coach's first or second season, not his sixth.

 

[Bama Reb]

This team's failure is not his fault. He inherited the team from CMG and it's taken him these past 6 years to turn it around!

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

I'm thinking more and more that Bill Battle is simply going to finish his 4 year contract and leave without doing anything about basketball. That's two more years.

with all due respect, you base this on what? Because he hasn't fired him by now?

I expect a coaching change, but I expect it after the season. Bill Battle likes and respects Anthony Grant, and he will give Grant every chance to succeed -- through this year.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

this year is starting to feel like Shula's last year, where part of me wants the team to keep losing where a change will happen. I never want a team to lose but I have grown tired of almost winning and being close. I really thought Grant was the answer, but clearly he is not. The real question is who could we possibly get that could turn the program in the right direction?

I seriously miss the Wimp years. We were a force to be reckoned with back then.

 

[BamaFlum]

Would Coach Saban have a vested interest in having both a strong football team and a strong basketball program? Just thinking out loud since he will bring recruits to bball games.

 

[Bama Reb]

Would Coach Saban have a vested interest in having both a strong football team and a strong basketball program? Just thinking out loud since he will bring recruits to bball games.

I would hate to lose CNS as a football coach but I'd love to see him as AD. I don't think he'd tolerate a losing sports program at UA, regardless of the sport or it's coach.

 

[RTR91]

Would Coach Saban have a vested interest in having both a strong football team and a strong basketball program? Just thinking out loud since he will bring recruits to bball games.

I commented last year I didn't read a single recruit mention attending a basketball game while on a visit. Didn't notice it this year either. I do know the team was at the Kentucky game, though.

 

[ptw1961]

I too have wondered about Tarrant. Something just does not sound or appear right with his situation. But I am not trying to promote any conspiracy theories here. I do believe that Grant is not happy in Tuscaloosa and is basically waiting for the end of the season to collect his check and leave town.

And i know that they can't really divulge detailed player injury status, but watching Tarrant get hurt several games ago, only to come back into that game and play, and now he just can't play due to a "lower leg injury"? This comment may not be fair, but my gut feeling when i watch him walking and watch his body language, and see him on the sideline laughing and such, leads me to believe it doesn't bother him that he can't be out on the court. He may not be hurt that bad, just has already checked out on the season like the rest of us. They can't force him to play if he makes claims that his "lower leg hurts".

 

[4Q Basket Case]

OK, I think there is general consensus that:
1. The status quo is unacceptable, and
2. We're not going to get better under Grant

The logical fallout is a coaching change. I'm not advocating a change, or even an announcement, before the season ends. Absent misconduct of some sort, I just don't think that's right. And from all outward appearances, Grant has conducted himself and run the program in a classy manner. So while I think his time is up, I also think his tenure deserves a dignified end, not a DuBosian run-off.

But I never like to advocate a coaching change without also offering alternatives.

Here are two that I think would at least listen:
Gregg Marshall. Yes, it's a long shot to get him out of Wichita, but it was a long shot to get Saban. Marshall made $1.75M at the end of the 2013 season. Don't know what it is now, but it wouldn't be cheap to get him. I'd make him a good offer and make him tell me, "Thanks, but no thanks,"

If he did (and I think the odds of landing Marshall would be something less than 50 / 50), I go after Shaka Smart. Yes, he's at VCU, and yes, that's where Grant came from. But so what?

Who else do you think should be on Battle's radar screen?

 

[WylieTexasTider]

But I never like to advocate a coaching change without also offering alternatives.

Here are two that I think would at least listen:
Gregg Marshall. Yes, it's a long shot to get him out of Wichita, but it was a long shot to get Saban. Marshall made $1.75M at the end of the 2013 season. Don't know what it is now, but it wouldn't be cheap to get him. I'd make him a good offer and make him tell me, "Thanks, but no thanks,"

If he did (and I think the odds of landing Marshall would be something less than 50 / 50), I go after Shaka Smart. Yes, he's at VCU, and yes, that's where Grant came from. But so what?

Who else do you think should be on Battle's radar screen?

Msrshall and Shaka are 2 I'd like to see Battle go after. I am not going to throw out or even suggest Izzo, Self or guys like that.. However, other names I'd put out feelers to are Jacobson at Northern Iowa, Danny Hurley at Rhode Island (neither can pay anywhere near what we can), Larrry K at Utah (western guy so it would be tough), Tom Crean at Indiana and Buzz Williams at Marquette are 2 other names. Crean is mentioned by some to be on the hot seat at Indiana. Hurley would be interesting, great connections to the NE, his dad runs one of the top prep programs in the country and has plenty of clout with the AAU coaches/handlers.

 

[cglaze4411]

Msrshall and Shaka are 2 I'd like to see Battle go after. I am not going to throw out or even suggest Izzo, Self or guys like that.. However, other names I'd put out feelers to are Jacobson at Northern Iowa, Danny Hurley at Rhode Island (neither can pay anywhere near what we can), Larrry K at Utah (western guy so it would be tough), Tom Crean at Indiana and Buzz Williams at Marquette are 2 other names. Crean is mentioned by some to be on the hot seat at Indiana. Hurley would be interesting, great connections to the NE, his dad runs one of the top prep programs in the country and has plenty of clout with the AAU coaches/handlers.

Buzz Williams is at Va Tech this year. His first year there. I don't think he would leave after one year, and if he did the number to get him out of there would probably be extremely high.


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[WylieTexasTider]

Buzz Williams is at Va Tech this year. His first year there. I don't think he would leave after one year, and if he did the number to get him out of there would probably be extremely high.


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I forgot Buzz went to Va Tech. I'd still call him. He may only be in his 1st year at Va Tech but, seeing they are horrible in the ACC and his prospects to improve playing Duke, UVA, Louisville, 'Cuse, UNC, NC St and others are slim, he might be willing to listen. Especially seeing UK and UF are the only programs that have been on the national radar the past 5 years.